miércoles, 10 de noviembre de 2010

What is there to celebrate?

This year marks 200 years of the independence of Chile. is why it is necessary to review what has happened in 200 years of history. The historian Gabriel Salazar explains that when it celebrated the centennial of Chile, they had the same problems today: social inequality, discrimination of all kinds, insecure jobs, poor education, etc. So I think this year more celebrate the Bicentennial, we must review what the issues that are pending to be solved are. For this reason, this time we will review 3 reasons why we should not celebrate the Bicentennial, but you should stop and think, What we do with this? These 3 reasons are: because there is great social inequality, because we have a poor quality education and because that our civil rights are not respected.
First, we should not celebrate the bicentennial because there is great social inequality. Chile is among the 11 most unequal countries in the world, which means that the country's wealth is unevenly distributed and there are a small group of people who get high wages and a very large group that has low wages.

The second reason why we should not celebrate the bicentennial is because we have an education system that reproduces the inequalities and it don't delivery quality education. the State don't has assumed its responsibility and commitment to this area of development.

The third reason why we should not celebrate the bicentennial is because Chile did not respect the rights of ethnic are not respected and no freedom of expression because the media are controlled.

Then these three issues are reasons why we should not celebrate the bicentennial, but we must think how to forward to address these issues. Salud!

sábado, 6 de noviembre de 2010

Home Sweet Home

The homes are a refuge. They protect the treasures and dreams of those who inhabit them, so it's important that people are comfortable in the place where they live.

I have lived in 4 different locations and all I have been pleasant. When was a child, i lived in a flat in La Reina. It was a beautiful place, filled with trees and games for children. Then, when I was 7 years, my parents and me moved to a house in a condominium. But 3 years ago my parents split up so my mom, my sister and I went to live in another apartment in Ñuñoa. Then by reasons of the lease, we had to change the department from the front.

I love the apartment where I live now it because it is wider, has a large balcony and pieces. The neighborhood is very good because it is quiet, safe and is one block from Irarrázaval which is a main street in Ñuñoa then there is good transport.

My bedroom is a cozy place, because it is decorated by me and are things that interest me, also is spacious and has access to the balcony.
The problem of where I live now is that I do not know my neighbors, because there is no meeting space, there is not a common place where we can gather.

In the future I would like to live in an apartment because it is more practical than a house, but I like to live in a house because I would have a garden and plant my own vegetable ...

THE ENVIRONMENT

In everyday I do some green practices, but don’t really participate in environmental movements. In my daily life, I use water with responsability, for example I don’t leave the water running while brushing my teeth. Also, sometimes I prefer to walk rather than take bus to go to University, I take half an hour walk.

As for recycling, before, when was child, my mom gathered out a lot of waste in my house as empty cans, papers, newspapers, glass, etc. Then a passing truck to remove debris and took them to a recycling plant.

I think it's very important that certain habits of respect for the environment are taught by family and school. For example, my sister learned how to make recycled paper at school.

I have never belonged to environmental organizations and as Greenpeace, Secma (Environmental Secretariat of FECH), or South Seas Foundation, etc. But I've done work in the University to support neighborhood organizations that promote environmental protection and sustainable development.

In the commune of La Granja there is the "Environmental Committee for Life" is an organization that was to demand the regulation of the Municipality of companies that are in the industrial belt of the district. These companies throw toxic waste into the sewage and produce bad odors and pollution, which has produced high rates of cancer in the neighborhood.

I think it's very important that we use the knowledge we learn in the University to support these organizations as they make a defense for the environment in their neighborhoods. I wish more students are interested in developing this type of work and make their contribution to environmental care of there.

viernes, 15 de octubre de 2010

Literature and Books

Hi, the topic this week is Literature and Books!

I must read a lot because it is something that requires me the career I study: sociology. But I don’t read literature; I read papers, scientific texts about research, theories on society and the social sciences. Now, literature is of secondary importance in my life, but for me it is very important to read.

But when was a child, I read many stories. My mother is librarian, then she always showed me new books and we read stories together at night.

If it comes to literature, I like Latin American writers like Gabriel García Márquez, Mario Vargas Llosa and Julio Cortázar. I also like the poetry of Nicanor Parra that don't use traditional language and writes about today's topic of Chile, since a very critical eye. Although I have not read, I heard that Milan Kundera is very interesting, I would like to know more.

There is a book I read when I was in school I liked a lot: “Pantaleón y las visitadoras” by Mario Vargas Llosa. Quartermaster Captain Pantaleon Pantoja has been entrusted with the task of organizing a service of "visiting" (prostitutes) for the troops Peruvian of High Amazon. The work becomes a satire of the military organization. Very interesting and fun!

miércoles, 6 de octubre de 2010

Parents adopting more open attitude to alcohol, drugs and sex

A UK study reveals that parents adopting liberal positions with regard to drug, alcohol and sex.

The study shows that a third of parents you agree with your child from experimenting with cannabis, because they consider it an inevitable stage of growth of their children.

Regarding alcohol, the study shows that most parents is agree with their children drink at home occasionally since age 13. In fact, a quarter of Londoners recognizes that allowed their children to drink from the age of 10.

As for the consumption of drugs and alcohol, parents are more liberal than mothers.

Regarding the sexual orientation of their children, parents are liberal, because 75% of parents stated that no problems if your child would be gay. But there are differences between fathers and mothers, as mothers are more open to address this issue.

Frank Furedi, a sociology professor at the University of Kent, argues that parents today are more liberal, because they make every effort to give their children the freedoms that they never had when they were young. In that sense, today's parents understand that their children have the right to expermentar to find their way in the life.


miércoles, 22 de septiembre de 2010

My favorite places in Santiago

I was born and raised in Santiago. But that does not mean one knows all the corners of the city.  Overall, I think that Santiago is a medium city, not as big as other cities in Latin America (Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Mexico City), but it  don’t is so small.

It’s also a noisy city, polluted, and its transport system is difficult for a tourist.

But Santiago also has some fun and interesting places to visit. If you are going to Santiago can not miss the following places.

1. La Chascona (Casa de Pablo Neruda in Santiago): The house is very mystical, with thousands of rincoles that hide the secrets of the poet's life.

2. Hill San Cristobal, is a typical place because there is a Virgin and there's the Metropolitan Zoo. You can climb on foot, by bicycle or the cable car. I recommend a Sunday morning walk up and at the top take a mote c/huesillos.

3. The Piojera is a typical Chilean bar that is located in the neighborhood mapocho Station. There you can try the typical Pipeño, a less elaborate wine.

4. The central market is also a place tracional. There you can find fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. I recommend go to eat a good fish fry!

5. Salsoteca Maestra Vida: It's the place to dance salsa oldest Santiago. This is my favorite place because it's very fun and diverse, as people are varied You can go take a drink and dance salsa. Is in the Barrio Bellavista is a neighborhood for fun.

These are places I can recommend,
Good luck and have fun!

martes, 21 de septiembre de 2010

My favorite music!!

The music is very important in my life because it's with me everywhere. I always walk with my mp4, on the bus, in the University and in the street. I always hear music because it relaxes me and makes me feel happy. Also, sometimes, when I study and read, listen to music because it allows to concentrate.

In general, I like various styles of music. I don't have one favorite band, as people who are lifelong fans of a band. I have had stages. As a teenager I liked Chilean rock bands. I even went to several concerts. But today I enjoy many styles of music. I like Brazilian music, particularly the bossa nova, as Joao Gilberto and Caetano Veloso. I also like the trova and new trova like Manuel Garcia. Sometimes I also listen to salsa and dance music as Willy Colon and Ruben Blades, Buena Vista Social Club and Juan Luis Guerra.

I only listen to music and dance, but I do not play any instrument. I want to learn to play guitar. On the song, I do not know how to sing professionally, I have no technique, but I love to sing.

In fact, I believe that music is very important because it can generate new states of mind and also to know other lives, other stories, other countries and cultures.